Greer's OC

Today John Wayne Airport officially opens Terminal C, boasting six new gates, one of the first universal check-in systems (for printing boarding passes and checking bags) at all 48 kiosks throughout the airport, a new parking structure, and in 18 months you can arrive at JWA from Mexico, and go through customs at its new international arrival area.

We love the seamless open-air design that mimics the existing terminal, the colorful "Flight of Ideas” floating sculpture by artist Beth Nybeck depicting wing spans of birds and aeronautical charts, the art exhibits (especially “In Plane View” from the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum), and always appreciative to have free Wi-Fi.

Yet what we’re most excited will take several more weeks to open: the new concessions will be bringing hungry travel rs even better dining choices. Look out for the first runway view restaurant Anaheim Ducks Breakaway Bar & Grill, order a charbroiled burger at Carl’s Jr.; or a hotdog from the first wood-fired grill in an airport at Jerry’s Wood Fired Dogs. Ruby’s  Diner will serve breakfast to burgers; and award winning chef Zov Karamardian will offer contemporary Eastern Mediterranean foods at Zov’s Bistro and Zov’s Grab & Go. Javier’s a local phenom Mexican eaterie will open Javi’s serving fresh seafood to premium beef, as well as specialty margaritas like cucumber, jalapeno and tamarindo. The first Hobie Sand Bar, a surf culture themed eaterie, will serve breakfast classics to Hobie‘s Beach Road Tacos, including beef barbacoa, surfin‘ chipotle chicken, or Mahi Mahi fish tacos; and fro-yo fans can get their fix at the soon to open Pinkberry.

Calling All Surfers!

The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel is gearing up for its second annual surfing Santa competition on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 8 a.m. to help children with autism. Simply dress like Santa, surf Salt Creek and you can raise money for Surfers Healing and children with autism.

The Surfing Santa Competition features a $1,000 prize for the Flying Rudolph Big Air category. Other categories include Santa’s Helpers (15 and under), Santa’s Elves (16 to 20 year olds), Toymakers (ages 20 plus), and Yule Loggers (open long board). And newly added this year is a body boarding heat with the winner receiving $500 with a portion of entry fees going to support the Eddie Solomon Cancer Foundation. The entry fee costs $40 per person and includes the contest and a Surf Swag Bag.

Surfers Healing exposes the people living with autism the therapeutic experience of surfing. Founders Israel and Danielle Paskowitz discovered that their autistic son Isaiah found the ocean to be a calming respite.

The Ritz-Carlton’s Community Footprints program includes the surf contest and the annual Holiday Surfboard auction, and has raised more than $57,000 in the last three years. The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel is at One Ritz Carlton Drive in Dana Point. For more information, call 949.240.2000, or visit surfingsantacontest.org.